“The panel was fantastic,” said Holly Sweat, Cleveland Community Workforce Development director. “We had a great turnout of professionals and the community coming to listen.”

Sweat moderated the discussion, asking panelists questions such as what you look for on an application and what biggest pet peeves during interviews.

“Make sure you get enough rest before an interview so you can have that personality,” said Alexis Pearson, of Walmart Distribution. “Interviews are all about first impressions. You won’t be hired if you are sleepy, unprepared and have an attitude."

Workforce Development Week continues until Friday, with a Resume Workshop at 10 a.m. today and 9 a.m. Friday; a Dress for Success Workshop on Wednesday and a mock interview session on Thursday.

“The panel was fantastic,” said Holly Sweat, Cleveland Community Workforce Development director. “We had a great turnout of professionals and the community coming to listen.”

Sweat moderated the discussion, asking panelists questions such as what you look for on an application and what biggest pet peeves during interviews.

“Make sure you get enough rest before an interview so you can have that personality,” said Alexis Pearson, of Walmart Distribution. “Interviews are all about first impressions. You won’t be hired if you are sleepy, unprepared and have an attitude."

Workforce Development Week continues until Friday, with a Resume Workshop at 10 a.m. today and 9 a.m. Friday; a Dress for Success Workshop on Wednesday and a mock interview session on Thursday.

Jeff Ledford, Shelby police chief: “You have to sell yourself. You can’t come in wearing flip-flops and a tank top, slump back in the chair and say ‘What’s up?'”

Ray Houser, Baldor: “Don’t be afraid to apply for a job, but your résumé just has to be clean.”

Joel Hoff, Clearwater Paper: “You have to make sure you can spell. If you say you were a supervisor for 17 years and can’t spell it, then we won’t hire you.”

Alexis Pearson, Walmart Distribution: “Walmart will ask if you have ever had a difficult assignment you couldn’t complete and how you handled it. When people say they didn’t have one, it’s a red flag. We want to see how people trouble shoot.”

Allen Kniceley, Cleveland Community College: “We ask about how you got along with other supervisors. We want to hear about how you handled possible bad relationships in the workplace.”